Equilibrium Socket System - ESS

描述（由申请人提供）：假肢的配合度在很大程度上决定了使用者的功能。在极端情况下，疼痛的契合会导致假体无法使用。体重的昼夜、月经和其他波动会导致假肢的舒适度和功能发生明显变化。因此，在肢体丧失者的日常生活中，由窝体积决定的窝配合的相对良好程度是最重要的。本研究的目标是为下肢假体创建一个平衡窝系统（ESS）。OrthoCare创新团队进行的初步工作已经确定了一种方法，该方法可能发展成为临床相关的、商业上可行的动态调整假体插槽系统。虽然之前已经开发了套孔容积和真空悬浮系统，但所采用的方法通常是相互矛盾的，有时会违背正常的生理变化。ESS的独特之处在于，它结合了用户可调节的动态音量调节水平，使用一个非常简单的机制，再加上一个安静的，动态调节真空悬挂系统。该系统将允许假体医生和患者以一种适应正常体积波动的方式控制窝体积的变化和悬浮。这项技术将使患者能够根据自己的感受直接控制调整，从而更充分地参与其中。在本工作中，我们将设计和构建原型系统，评估人体受试者的性能和可行性，并与受试者和同事一起在临床假肢中审查结果。公共卫生相关性：该项目将通过创建一个与截肢肢动态自动调节的插座接口来改善假肢的配合度和功能。该技术将允许义肢使用者快速、轻松地调整其义肢的硬度，并且以比目前可能的更精确的控制方式进行调整。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The fit of a prosthesis determines the function of the user to a great degree. In the extreme, a painful fit will result in non-use of the prosthesis. Diurnal, menstrual and other fluctuations in body weight lead to noticeable changes in comfort and function of a prosthesis. As a consequence, the relative goodness of socket fit determined by socket volume is of paramount concern in the daily lives of persons with limb loss The objective of the proposed work is to create a Equilibrium Socket System (ESS) for Lower Limb Prostheses). Preliminary work undertaken by the OrthoCare Innovations team has resulted in identification of an approach that may be developed into a clinically relevant, commercially viable system for dynamically adjusting prosthesis sockets. While both socket volume, and vacuum suspension systems have been developed previously, the approaches taken often work against each other and sometimes against normal physiological change. The unique feature of the ESS is that combines a user adjustable level of dynamic volume accommodation using a very simple mechanism, coupled with a silent, dynamically adjusting vacuum suspension system. The system will allow both the prosthetist and the patient to control socket volume changes and suspension in a way that accommodates normal volume fluctuation. The technology will enable the patient to participate more fully by directly controlling adjustments based on what they feel. In the proposed work, we will design and build the prototype system, evaluate performance and feasibility with human subjects, and review the results with the subjects and colleagues in clinical prosthetics. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project will improve the fit and function of prostheses by creating a dynamically and automatically adjusting socket interface with the amputated limb. The technology will allow the prosthesis user to adjust the firmness of the fit of their prosthesis quickly, easily, and in a more precisely controlled manner than is currently possible.